Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and all Moldova celebrated Divine Liturgy on the Sunday before Theophany, or, Baptism of the Lord, at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Chisinau.
The feast coincided with the commemoration of the 70 Holy Apostles called by Lord Jesus Christ to the mission of bringing the Word of God to people.
The arch-pastor was assisted at the service by archpriest Vadim Cheibas, Cathedral Dean, and the synaxis of the Cathedral clergy. Praying with the liturgical community was archpriest Ioan Gherbovetchi, the Dean of Orthodox Parishes in Portugal of Corsun Diocese.
The Scriptural Reading on the feast of the 70 Apostles celebrated this Sunday, mentions the words of Christ: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10: 2). Thus, the Christians are advised to pray for their pastors, while the latter are called to be good servants of God, working on the spiritual field.
This Sunday is dedicated to the preparing of the Feast of Theophany. It closes the period of holy days after the feasts of Nativity and Circumcision of the Lord, while the day of 5 January (18 January in the civil calendar) is the Eve of the Theophany, marked by strict fast and assiduous prayer.
The Gospel Reading used at the Liturgy on the Sunday before Theophany speaks about the mission of St. John’s Baptist: calling people to repentance before the coming of the Heavenly Kingdom (Mark 1: 1-8).
As a humble, honest, and courageous person, St. John offers a model of sobriety, prayer, simplicity, and spiritual reflection.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations.